Posted by Bob on September 29, 2010 under Daily Blogs | 
The Board of Mayor and Burgesses voted eight (8) to zero (0) last evening to approve a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) between the Borough and the Connecticut Health Care Associates, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees AFSCME, AFL-CIO (“CHCA”), who represent Naugatuck’s visiting nurses. The agreement defines terms of employment for our Visiting Nurses Association (“VNA”) nurses through June 30, 2011.
The agreement can be viewed here. Its major provisions are as follows:
- Nurses receive a one and one half ( 1/2 % ) percent increase wage increase effective July 1, 2010, and an additional one and one half ( 1/2 % ) percent wage increase beginning January 1, 2011;
- Existing health care benefits remain the same through the end of the agreement;
- Nurses receive annual longevity payments beginning at five (5) years of service; and
- All newly hired nurses will be required to participate in the Borough’s defined contribution plan.
We would like to thank CHCA and our Naugatuck Visiting Nurses negotiating team for working cooperatively and respectfully to reach an agreement that benefits both parties. We would also like to thank all of our visiting nurses who do an outstanding job providing care to their patients. The Borough is fortunate to have such professional and compassionate caregivers.
Posted by Bob on under Daily Blogs |
Several residents in the Glendale neighborhood have raised concerns over the quality of recently paved roads in the area. The method of paving being conducted is called “micro paving”, the process for which differs from traditional road resurfacing.
Micro paving involves laying a cold resurfacing product over a road without the need for milling the road, raising manhole covers and catch basins, and replacing driveway aprons. Industry standards recommend that only roads that are generally sound should be considered for micro paving. Given the fact that the roads in the Glendale neighborhood met that criteria, it was determined that implementing micro paving was prudent. The costs to micro pave a road are approximately one third ( 1/3 rd) the price of traditional resurfacing.
Because the application is cold, micro paving usually leaves some loose stones on the new surface. After the material settles and is compacted by local traffic, the loose stones are then swept away. Both the Borough and the contractor plan to sweep the roads in the Glendale neighborhood by the end of the week. In addition, the Borough’s Public Works Department is in contact with the contractor to address any other issues of workmanship. Upon resolution of any outstanding issues and the sweeping away of the excess stones, the appearance of the roads will greatly improve.
As with all new procedures, our Public Works Department will continue to assess micro paving and the methods used before utilizing this method on other roads in the spring. Please feel free to comment or contact our office ( 203-720-7009; bmezzo@naugatuck-ct.gov; or bob@bobmezzo.com ) if you have questions regarding this process.
Posted by Bob on September 23, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
The Naugatuck sewage treatment plant continues to receive attention as a result of odor complaints raised by residents living in close proximity. Concerns about the foul smells are certainly not new to Naugatuck, and the frustration of those experiencing it effects is significant. I have no doubt that there are some individuals who will promise a quick solution and conveniently look for someone to blame about the problem. As with most problems in life, however, the sewage plant’s odor issue offers few simple solutions.
The sentiment of “I don’t care what the problem is, just fix it” is understandable. Rest assured that if it was that simple, it would have already been done. An examination of the facts and the history is necessary.
The treatment plant has existed in the Borough since the early 1950′s, originally constructed to treat solids and other objects from wastewater. Prior to its construction, Naugatuck’s sewage system flowed directly into the Naugatuck River. The plant was apparently operated by Uniroyal Chemical, which made significant upgrades to the plant around 1974. Uniroyal split the system into two (2) sections: one (1) to serve the needs of the company and the other to handle waste from the Borough. The arrangement allowed Borough residents to receive waste treatment for no charge. At various points in time, neighboring municipalities including Middlebury, Beacon Falls and Oxford sent sewage to Naugatuck through a combination of sewer connections and sewage pumped from septic systems and trucked to the plant. In addition, Uniroyal, at some point in time, began to accept waste from other private entities to help defray costs associated with operation. This practice, which continues today with the current operator, makes the Naugatuck plant unique in the sense that merchant sludge is brought to the treatment facility for profit.
Since it original construction, environmental regulations were created and have increased significantly throughout the years; the major legislation being the federal Clean Water Act enacted in 1972. I the late 1990′s, political debate strained the relationship between the Borough and Uniroyal Chemical and its successor companies. While it appeared that an agreement would be reached to resolve disputes, Uniroyal suddenly informed the Borough in 1999 that is no longer intended to operated the treatment facility.
The future of the treatment facility was one of the major issues facing the Borough when I was first elected a Burgess in May of 1999. There was an immediate need to install an operator. The Board of Mayor and Burgesses, who at the time was also acting as the Water Pollution Control Board, voted to approve a temporary arrangement with US Filter Operating Systems, the predecessor to Veolia Water, Inc. Eventually a twenty (20) year agreement was negotiated with US Filter to operate Naugatuck’s treatment facility.
The agreement guaranteed the Borough would incur no costs for the first (1st) five (5) years of the agreement. After the initial five (5) year period, the Borough would either share in certain portions of the profit earned by US Filter or be responsible for certain operating costs within the confines of the Borough’s regular budget. While discussions of a sewer user fee were of great concern, the Borough was able to avoid another burdensome level of taxation through its agreement with US Filter.
Based on obligations in the agreement, US Filter n/k/a Veolia Water completed approximately TWENTY FOUR MILLION and 00/100THS ($24,000,000.00) DOLLARS worth of capital upgrades to the plant to modernize operations by 2004. Since that time, Veolia has continued to make capital investments in the plant, including improvements to reduce odor. The estimated value of the entire treatment plant is somewhere in the neighborhood of TWO HUNDRED MILLION and 00/100THS ($200,000,000.00) DOLLARS according to replacement figures on insurance certificates.
The issue of odor has clearly received the most attention in recent months. While many longtime Naugatuck residents remember far worse days in years gone past, residents in certain neighborhoods still claim that terrible smells disrupt their quality of life. The sentiment that “it is not as bad as it used to be” really offers no comfort to those who live or have purchased homes in neighborhoods close to the plant. Such a sentiment certainly does not absolve our local government from working toward a responsible resolution of the odor issues. There has been significant effort devoted to addressing these concerns in the past year. The main two (2) issues, however, are what is the overall solution and what is the cost.
There is no easy answer to either of those questions. If easy answers existed, there is no reason why the problem would have been resolved. While I am sure there are those in the community willing to simplify the problem or pledge things that can not be achieved, I believe Naugatuck deserves honest and intelligent dialogue about this issue rather than empty promises and/or soundbites.
There are several, substantial conditions that all have an impact on the odor problem. The primary issue is that unlike many other communities in Connecticut, Naugatuck has a sewage treatment facility. I doubt there is another mayor or first selectman in the state whose community hosts a sewage treatment facility who would rather it be located elsewhere. Naugatuck’s history is what it is. At some point, rather than simply pollute the waterway that bears Naugatuck’s name, the powers that were decided to construct a treatment plant along the railroad and adjacent to the river. For years during the industrial era, I imagine that the smells from the plant were minor compared to the odor emanating from the chemicals dumped into the river itself.
The location is another concern. While the state forest shields the direct west of the plant, the facility is located along a river in the middle of a valley. The contours of the terrain give wind patterns a familiar direction in which to travel. Without completely encapsulating the entire plant, we may never be able to completely eliminate odors that fall below the Department of Environmental Protection’s (“DEP”) nuisance levels.
Over the years, other communities have linked their public sewer system to the Naugatuck plant. Numerous residents in Middlebury, Beacon Falls and Oxford enjoy the benefits of Naugatuck’s treatment facility without any of the drawbacks of having to host the plant. While Naugatuck negotiates to determine a fair cost for providing such a service, other communities have leverage as they know that the DEP would never allow the Borough to simply deny access and close the pipes.
Like most things, however, much of the problem has to due with money. As stated above, Naugatuck’s treatment plant is unique in that it accepts merchant sludge from outside third (3rd) parties. Sludge and liquid sewage is transported by truck to the plant up and down Route 8 and through the streets leading to the treatment plant. While the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) requires such trucks to cover sludge with tarps, there are little to no other regulations regarding the transport of such waste. Trucks coming to the plant frequently omit odors that are far from pleasant. While Veolia instructs departing trucks to avoid traveling throughout the Borough, there is little that can be done to avoid the smells emanating from transport vehicles coming to the facility.
I have heard the argument made that Naugatuck should require Veolia to abandon this practice and process only Naugatuck sewage. This kind of logic fails to consider the economics. Conservatively, Borough taxpayers would have paid at least TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($2,500,000.000) DOLLARS more in the current fiscal year’s budget if Veolia was not allowed to accept third (3rd) party sludge. Veolia is a publicly traded corporation that, like all such entities in free market societies, has a duty to make money for shareholders. Veolia’s agreement with the Borough does not allow nor would Veolia’s governing structure permit the Borough to end the merchant sludge operation at the plant without compensation. If individuals are proposing that Borough taxpayers assume the difference on an annual basis of at least TWO MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($2,500,000.000) DOLLARS, that is a debate that needs to be had in the community.
The most complex issue influencing the odor problem, however, has little to do with the odor itself. DEP and other federal mandates are likely to increase in the coming years. Unfunded mandates to reduce phosphorous, mercury and zinc have other been imposed or are likely to be imposed in coming years. Those who have worked on treatment facility issues for the better part of the past decade will state that such mandates will be one of the biggest challenges facing the Borough in the next five (5) to ten (10) years.
Making a substantial improvements to the plant simply to address the odor issues without coordinating such efforts with other needed investment is shortsighted, poor policy and bad business. The recent odor study recommends several capital investments that consultants suggest would help to alleviate potential odor problems. Making improvements that will need to be removed for future upgrades needed in the next few years, however, is a poor allocation of resources. This is even a more significant matter when one considers that it has not been determined who will pay for such upgrades.
What is truly needed is a long term facilities plan that will integrate all future upgrades in a comprehensive and cost effective manner. While such a plan will be costly itself, it is in the best interests of the DEP, Naugatuck and Veolia to consider such an undertaking in the near future. Taxpayers, both in the short term and long, will be better served by proper planning for the future.
All this being said, however, the Borough is currently responsible to address the odor problem in accordance with a consent agreement between the Borough and DEP. A consent order is basically an agreement between a state agency and another party (in this case the Borough) to address an alleged violation of state regulations. The current consent order became effective in 2009 and requires that significant action be taken over two (2) years to remedy the odor problem.
The Borough makes every effort to comply with environmental law and regulation. The overwhelming majority of our residents want a clean and healthy community. Like many post-industrial communities, we have learned from the mistakes of our past, cleaned our river, expanded our recycling efforts, upgraded our treatment facility and celebrate efforts to protect our planet. What the leaders in Hartford need to realize, however, is that passing along unfunded mandates in a vacuum without considering the impact on local taxpayers or offering financial assistance is irresponsible.
While some have argued we should pay for such mandates with a sewer user tax, I fail to see how another tax in a distressed municipality will benefit our community. Approximately eighty five (85%) percent of Borough residents are connected to city sewer and water. Those on septic have their sewage treated for free at the Naugatuck facility. The argument that residents get “free sewer” is simply not true. The fact is that the costs associated with operating the treatment facility are allocated in the Borough’s regular budget. Residents pay for their sewage when real estate taxes are paid, which is deductible on federal income tax returns. If concern for those not using public sewers is the issue, there is an equitable alternative. Rather than create and pay for a whole new department to collect a whole new, lienable sewer tax that is not deductible, provide a real estate tax credit to those using septic.
Naugatuck is in many ways a service community. People in other, less developed communities use Naugatuck’s roads, businesses, public safety capacity (through mutual aid), and our sewage treatment facility. Cities have made this argument for years, but Connecticut’s municipal centers generally are the focus of state and federal funds. Connecticut’s smaller cities, those just outside the urban core, struggle with some of the same challenges but with less focus when revenue is distributed. The Naugatuck’s, East Hartford’s, West Haven’s, Stratford’s and Groton’s of the world have to compete with their larger neighbors to access funds to provide adequate service to their densely populated residents.
If the DEP is serious about fulfilling its mission of providing a clean and healthy environment, I urge its leaders to be better cognizant of the complex issues facing municipalities like Naugatuck. Mandating compliance in a vacuum without an understanding of the big picture or any concept of the cost does little to protect the environment. If a few odor complaints are making certain DEP officials uncomfortable, it will pale in comparison to the collective outrage if DEP’s actions impose significant mandates and increased financial burdens on Borough taxpayers.
Enacting meaningful solutions requires a serious and frank discussion with all parties and a long term plan for treatment facility. Our administration is committed to being partners, rather than adversaries, with all stakeholders. While talking about sewage is not particularly glamorous or headline grabbing, the long term operation of our treatment facility will be one of the biggest issues we face as a community in the coming years.
Posted by Bob on September 15, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
The Borough’s Department of Public Works (“DPW”) is in the process of changing to automated refuse and recycling system for certain areas of town beginning later this fall. The change is a significant undertaking that will undoubtedly result in many questions as to how the new system will effect residents. The following attempts to answer some common questions we have heard and are likely to hear in the coming weeks.
What is automated refuse and recycling?
Automated sanitation involves vehicles equipped with electronic arms that lift uniform containers into the collection area of the truck. In locations that make such a system logistically difficult, lifters are added to vehicles that require a worker to wheel the container onto the lifter, which is then automatically dumped into the collection area.
Why would a municipality switch to automated refuse and recycling?
Most municipal departments have or are in the process of switching to an automated system. Private companies, many of whom have contracts to collect for municipalities, have been using automated systems for years. Some of the benefits are as follows:
- Long-term savings associated with decreased staffing costs;
- Reduction in workers compensation claims;
- Single-stream recycling;
- Increased recycling which generates revenue for a municipality; and
- Decreased regular refuse or municipal solid waste (hereinafter “MSW”) collection which costs a municipality in terms of tipping fees.
Where did the Borough get the funds for the initial investment?
The bulk of the initial capital costs required for the change to automated collection came from a amounts paid to the Borough from the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority (“CRRA”) resulting from the Enron settlement. The Borough received approximately SEVEN HUNDRED NINETY TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE ($792,281.00) DOLLARS through said settlement. Additional funds in an approximate amount of EIGHT SEVEN THOUSAND and 00/100THS ($87,000.00) DOLLARS were added from a energy block grant through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (“ARRA”). This funding has been allocated toward the purchase of an automated refuse truck, and automated recycling truck and approximately two thousand seven hundred fifty (2,750) containers needed to begin implementation. A fiscal analysis presented to the Joint Boards of Finance and Mayor and Burgesses last winter can be viewed here.
How will the change effect the average resident?
Each resident whose street is scheduled for automated MSW and recycling will be given two (2) ninety six (96) gallon containers that have attached lids and wheels. One (1) container will be for MSW; the other for recycling. The containers will be delivered to the residents home with instructions. Recycling containers will allow residents to place all recyclable items into the bin without separation. On the respective collection days, residents will need to wheel the containers to the side of the road.
What is single stream recycling?
Single stream recycling allows residents to include all recyclable items together in one (1) container with no requirement to group separately or bind similar items together. Such items that can be included in the recycling container include but are not limited to the followings:
- glass and metal food and beverage containers;
- plastic bottles;
- newspapers;
- cardboard (unstained);
- magazines;
- junk mail office paper;
- empty aerosol cans and empty boxes (unstained).
For more information, please see the public works recycling notice on the Borough’s website here. The amount of items that can be recycled reduce overall trash or MSW.
How much does a ninety-six (96) gallon container hold?
The regular MSW bin that will be provided holds the equivalent of approximately three (3) standard size garbage cans. Discarded items will be required to be placed in garbage bags of the residents choosing.
Will the containers be too big and/or heavy to move?
While the containers are significantly larger than the average garbage container, all containers have wheels, lids and handles that makes transport relatively easy. In addition, there will no longer be a need for recycling bins that are difficult to carry when heavy.
Which streets will be included?
The public works department is still compiling a list of streets which will be included in the first (1st) phase of implementation. There are certain streets in the Borough that may never switch to the automated system due to logistical and/or geographical limitations. It is likely that the streets most convenient to the automated system will be included initially. Streets with significant on-street parking will require use of the lifters and a worker to place the containers on the lifter.
What if I have more regular trash that will not fit in the refuse container?
We realize that occasionally residents have an increase in a particular weeks trash/MSW volume for a variety of reasons. Residents will be able to purchase additional bags at a local vendor for TWO and 50/100THS ($2.50) DOLLARS per bag that will be manually collected when placed next to the regular container.
Can I get additional containers?
Residents can purchase an additional MSW container at the Borough’s cost (approximately $80.00). The annual cost to collect a second (2nd) MSW container is scheduled to be ONE HUNDRED FIFTY and 00/100THS ($150.00) DOLLARS.
What will prevent theft of containers?
All containers will be bar-coded and will be identifiable with the residence to which they are distributed. In addition, trucks will be equipped with video cameras.
What will happen if containers are not collected resulting from the Borough’s error?
The DPW will return and collect the container at no cost to the resident.
What will happen if containers are not collected resulting from an error by the resident?
The DPW will return to collect the container but a charge of TEN and 00/100THS ($10.00) DOLLARS will be assessed to the resident which must be paid before the next scheduled collection.
What are some reasons that trash and/or recyclables would not be collected?
- Carts and/or authorized bags are not used;
- Containers not placed in the appropriate collection spot;
- Recyclable items are not separated from regular MSW;
- Hazardous and/or unauthorized materials placed in MSW or recycling container;
- Carts not placed for collection on time.
This is a very new system. How will the DPW enforce the requirements will all this change?
Very leniently in the beginning. We realize that automated MSW and recycling represents a significant change from our long policy of manual collection. There will be an adjustment period where procedures will need to be refined, issues resolved and public awareness increased. Because the long-term benefits outweigh the inconvenience of change, the DPW will act reasonably with regard to implementation.
Will the change to an automated system increase blight?
While we will still battle blight for a variety of reasons, the change to automation is not expected to contribute to this problem. Many claimed that the elimination of bulk trash collection years ago would cause more dumping. Evidence throughout the years does not support the assertion that there has been any significant increase in bulk trash dumping.
Why does Naugatuck have to change?
No one is mandating the Naugatuck implement automated collection. The change to automated MSW and recycling is meant to increase efficiency and productivity, reduce cost and improve procedures in accordance with industry practices. Collecting trash strictly using human resources is costly and causes injury. Employees collecting MSW and recycling are not able to perform other needed, public works tasks. It is expected that the initial change to automation will eventually reduce the sanitation staff on three (3) vehicles from nine (9) full time employees (“FTE’s”) to six and one half (6 1/2) FTE’s. Almost no haulers in the private sector rely solely on human collection. Most municipalities have either switched to automation, are in the process of doing so or strongly considering such a change. The reality is that trash or MSW, costs municipalities money. By recycling all the items that can be recycled, that cost is not only reduced; but the Borough makes money through recycled items.
Will there be layoffs associated with the change to automation?
No. The Borough has reached an agreement with the Public Works collective bargaining unit that no existing employees will lose their jobs as a result of the change. Employees not assigned to sanitation will be reassigned to other public works tasks. Any elimination of positions will only happen through attrition as existing employees retire.
Why are elected and/or appointed Borough officials making this change without some experience with the system?
They are not. Most of the Burgesses and Finance Board members have had the opportunity to sample the recycling containers at their residents. Despite some apprehension, reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Most were amazed at how much more items can be recycled without much effort.
What will I do with my old garbage cans and recycle bins?
The Borough will collect old garbage cans and recycle bins without charge to residents.
Posted by Bob on September 2, 2010 under Daily Blogs |
Anyone watching the news the past few days has undoubtedly heard reports of Hurricane Earl making its way up the east coast of the United States. Given the possibility that Earl is likely to pass New England sometime on Friday (9/3/2010), the Borough’s emergency management personnel have been monitoring developments on a continuing basis throughout this week.
Current reports project Hurricane Earl to have its greatest impact on southeastern and coastal Connecticut sometime late Friday (9/3/2010) night into Saturday (9/4/2010) morning. Such current forecasts (as of 12 Noon on Thursday, September, 2, 2010) indicate Naugatuck may receive heavy rain and wind, but may avoid the worst the hurricane has to offer.
All forecasts, however, are just that: forecasts. Predicting the path of hurricanes and other tropical storms involves science, but by no means have such forecasts been reduced to exact science. We continue to monitor forecasts, in conjunction with the State of Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), to determine if Earl’s path is likely to deviate from current projections.
While municipal governments across the state prepare with great seriousness for weather related incidents, citizens are also urged to have plans of their own. Despite all the government planning that occurs in anticipation of a significant weather event, time is usually needed to respond to problems in the aftermath of a storm. Flooding, road obstructions and power outages are only some of the obstacles that emergency responders and residents face during recovery.
Most emergency management professionals recommend that residents take the necessary precautions to withstand three (3) to five (5) days without electricity and the ability to travel after major storms. Essential supplies include ready-to-eat meals, clean water, batteries, required prescriptions, infant/child needs and pet supplies. Ensuring all cell phones and laptop computer batteries are fully-charged in the event of a storm are also important. For comprehensive information, DEMHS’ Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness can be downloaded here.
Being prepared is our best way protect public safety and save lives and property during significant weather events. Please continue to monitor weather updates on Hurricane Earl and view the Borough’s website, www.naugatuck-ct.gov, for important updates. Residents may also register for Naugatuck’s “Code Red” emergency notification system on the website.
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